A play on welch, Perhaps?
From the story:
The former welder is among the 500 to 700 Mexican nationals who have contacted their country's consulate in Salt Lake City this year for help after receiving notices from bosses that they have been or will be fired because their Social Security numbers are invalid.
This guy wasn't taking four dollar restrauant jobs away from anyone.. He was a welder. I have friends who are welders (union and otherwise) and they do VERY WELL financially.
Welding can pay but I've heard it's bad for your eyes if done for decades.